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The following is a press release from the Los Angeles Sparks:
 
WNBA Champion, MVP, 11-time All-Star and longtime WNBPA President concludes one of the most accomplished and influential careers in women’s basketball
LOS ANGELES – Aug. 19, 2026 — Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA champion, league MVP, 11-time All-Star and President of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, announced today in an exclusive interview with Taylor Rooks for Boardroom Talks her intent to retire from the WNBA at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
“I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away. For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled, and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything I’ve poured into it,” Ogwumike said.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft, Ogwumike retires as one of the most decorated and consequential players of her generation. Her career includes the 2012 Rookie of the Year award, the 2016 WNBA MVP and championship, eleven All-Star selections, eight All-WNBA selections, seven All-Defensive Team selections and recognition as a member of The W25, honoring the 25 greatest players in league history at the WNBA’s 25th anniversary.
Ogwumike also leaves an enduring mark on the Los Angeles Sparks, where she spent 13 of her 15 WNBA seasons and became the franchise’s all-time leader in scoring, field goals made, steals and double-doubles.
Her impact extends well beyond the court. As WNBPA President since 2016, Ogwumike has been one of the most influential player leaders during a transformational period for the WNBA and women’s professional sports. During her tenure, WNBA players have secured the single largest salary increase from one CBA to the next in the history of professional sports, along with expanded benefits, player protections and resources that have helped redefine the standard for women’s professional basketball.
“Playing in the W for 15 seasons has given me far more than I ever imagined. I’ve been challenged as a competitor, shaped as a leader, and exposed to unforgettable people and experiences. I can stand proudly as the player I’ve become, and even more proud of the woman I am becoming.”
Ogwumike’s next chapter will continue her commitment to growing women’s basketball and expanding its impact globally.

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Nneka Ogwumike Announces Retirement from the WNBA Following the 2026 Season

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Game Recap

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Game Recap: Connecticut Sun 85, Los Angeles Sparks 77 (08/18/2026)

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Game Highlights: Los Angeles Sparks vs. Connecticut Sun (8/18/26)

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Los Angeles Sparks @ Connecticut Sun - August 18, 2026 - Away

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Los Angeles Sparks @ Connecticut Sun - August 18, 2026 - Home

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Highlights From Leila Lacan 10-Assist Game

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Rae Burrell Points Leader in Connecticut Sun vs. Los Angeles Sparks - Top Points

Power Rankings

We’re at the point of the season where a single game can make a huge impact on the playoff race. Sunday’s Fever-Dream game is a prime example. 
Atlanta entered Sunday’s matchup a half-game back of Indiana in the standings, but held a 2-1 advantage in the season series.
A win would not only help the Dream immediately leapfrog the Fever for fourth place in the standings, but it would also secure the head-to-head tiebreaker with a 3-1 series victory.
However, the Fever outscored the Dream 17-9 in the fourth quarter to force overtime, where Indiana prevailed 95-91.
With the win, the Fever maintained their hold on fourth place (and moved within a half-game of the third-place Aces), but they also evened their season series with the Dream. That takes the head-to-head tiebreaker off the table. The next tiebreaker is record against teams over .500, which Indiana currently leads over Atlanta.
One game. Plenty of playoff implications.
With another week of high-stakes games set to begin tonight, let’s see how the teams stack up against one another with just two weeks until the FIBA World Cup break (Aug. 31–Sept. 16).
<hr />
<h2>1. Minnesota Lynx (29-7, clinched playoff berth) ↔️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 1</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Wed. at GSV, Fri. at WAS</li>
</ul>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-269230" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2289750018-scaled.jpg" alt="The Minnesota Lynx" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2289750018-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2289750018-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2289750018-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2289750018-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2289750018-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2289750018-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
The league-leading Lynx enter this week having won four straight and 14 of their last 15 games. Minnesota has already clinched a playoff berth and can move closer to securing the No. 1 overall seed with Wednesday’s matchup with Golden State. A win clinches the head-to-head tiebreaker for the Lynx over the only team within five games of them in the standings.
<hr />
<h2>2. Golden State Valkyries (24-9) ↔️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 2</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Mon. vs. DAL, Wed. vs. MIN, Fri. at CHI</li>
</ul>
The Valkyries had only one game last week, a 20-point victory over Chicago, for their fifth straight win and 14th in their last 16 games. Golden State will look to clinch its playoff spot on Monday night when Dallas visits Ballhalla. The Valkyries need one win or a Portland loss to clinch. While Golden State’s schedule was light last week, the Valkyries play a league-high seven games before the FIBA break as they look to stay hot.
<hr />
<h2>3. Las Vegas Aces (24-12, clinched playoff berth) ⬆️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 4</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. vs. ATL, Thu. vs. CON, Sun. at TOR</li>
</ul>
The Aces opened the week with back-to-back wins over Washington, cooling the red-hot Mystics, who had won their previous seven games. However, the Aces were unable to complete a 3-0 week as they dropped their rubber match against Minnesota on Saturday despite A’ja Wilson’s game-high 32 points. The Lynx clinched the season series 2-1.
<hr />
<h2>4. Indiana Fever (23-12) ⬆️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 5</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. at TOR, Thu. at DAL, Sat. at NYL, Sun. at CHI</li>
</ul>
Indiana’s win in Atlanta on Sunday prevented the Dream from securing the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Fever. This week, the tables turn, as Indiana has two chances to lock up head-to-head tiebreakers — Thursday in Dallas (series is tied 1-1, winner takes series) and Saturday in New York (Fever lead the series 2-1 ahead of final matchup of season). The Fever, who have won four straight and nine of their last 11, can bolster their playoff position with wins in these key games.
<hr />
<h2>5. New York Liberty (22-14) ⬆️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 6</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. at CHI, Sat. vs. IND</li>
</ul>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-269231" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290069881-scaled.jpg" alt="Breanna Stewart #30, Rebecca Allen #9, and Marine Johannes #23 of the New York Liberty" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290069881-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290069881-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290069881-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290069881-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290069881-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290069881-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
After falling to the Fever to open last week, the Liberty picked up wins over the Sparks and Sun to make it nine wins in their last 11 games. This week, New York will look to improve to 3-0 vs. Chicago before trying to even its season series with Indiana on Saturday in Brooklyn — the Liberty are 12-5 at home this season.
<hr />
<h2>6. Washington Mystics (20-14) ⬇️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 3</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Wed. vs. TOR, Fri. vs. MIN, Sun. at PDX</li>
</ul>
The Mystics had their seven-game win streak snapped with back-to-back losses to the Aces this past week, before getting back on track with a victory over the Sparks on Saturday. After opening the week against a Toronto team that has dropped 10 straight, the Mystics will try to become the first team to beat Minnesota twice this season and clinch their season series with the Lynx.
<hr />
<h2>7. Atlanta Dream (21-13) ↔️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 7</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. at LVA, Thu. at LAS, Sat. at PHX</li>
</ul>
Whether Sunday’s overtime loss to Indiana comes back to bite Atlanta remains to be seen. However, the Dream need to bounce back quickly to keep their chances at a top-four seed intact. Atlanta opens a four-game road trip this week — the Dream are 9-7 away from home so far this season — looking to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Aces.
<hr />
<h2>8. Dallas Wings (20-15) ↔️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 8</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Mon. at GSV, Thu. vs. IND, Sun. vs. SEA</li>
</ul>
The bad news for the Wings is that their loss to the Fever on Friday dropped them to 3-7 in their last 10 games. However, the good news is that Dallas enters this week still holding a five-game lead for the eighth and final playoff spot. That gives them time to get back on track. This week, the Wings visit Golden State before hosting a critical game with the Fever that will determine the head-to-head tiebreaker.
<hr />
<h2>9. Portland Fire (15-20) ⬆️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Fri. at TOR, Sun. vs. WAS</li>
</ul>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-269232" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290792831-scaled.jpg" alt="Emily Engstler #21 of the Portland Fire high fives teammates" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290792831-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290792831-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290792831-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290792831-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290792831-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/08/GettyImages-2290792831-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
On Sunday in Phoenix, the Fire did not let Diana Taurasi and her Ring of Honor ceremony distract them from the task at hand. Portland rallied past Phoenix for an 88-85 win. It was the Fire’s second win by one possession, and their fourth win over the last five games overall as Portland keeps its slim playoff hopes alive. However, a loss or a Valkyries win seals their fate.
<hr />
<h2>10. Chicago Sky (13-22) ⬇️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 9</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. vs. NYL, Fri. vs. GSV, Sun. vs. IND</li>
</ul>
The Sky snapped a six-game road skid on Sunday as they held off the Storm in Seattle behind Kamilla Cardoso’s 22-point, 12-rebound double-double. While the Sky return to Chicago for a three-game homestand this week, the competition is fierce with three teams aiming for a top-four seed headed to the Windy City. The Sky are a combined 1-5 against the Liberty, Valkyries and Fever this season.
<hr />
<h2>11. Phoenix Mercury (13-23) ⬆️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 12</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Sat. vs. ATL</li>
</ul>
Even the loss to Portland could not dampen the celebration of Diana Taurasi, who had her No. 3 jersey retired as she entered Phoenix’s Ring of Honor on Sunday night. Following the game, the Mercury have six days off before they host the Dream on Saturday. Trailing the eighth seed by 7.5 games with eight games to play, the Mercury are entering must-win territory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
<hr />
<h2>12. Los Angeles Sparks (12-22) ⬇️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 11</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. at CON, Thu. vs. ATL, Sat. vs. CON</li>
</ul>
Following losses to Phoenix, New York and Washington last week, the Sparks have dropped four straight overall and 11 of their last 13 games. With their playoff hopes declining fast, the Sparks visit Connecticut for the final time before returning home to host the Dream and Sun.
<hr />
<h2>13. Seattle Storm (7-30, eliminated from playoffs) ⬆️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 15</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Sun. at DAL</li>
</ul>
After opening last week with a win over the Sky, the Storm suffered back-to-back two-point losses to Portland and Chicago to close out the week. No team has played more games this season than the Storm, who have a full week off before they visit Dallas on Sunday. So far this season, Seattle is 0-2 against the Wings with two games remaining — this Sunday and the final day of the regular season. 
<hr />
<h2>14. Connecticut Sun (8-25, eliminated from playoffs) ⬇️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 13</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. vs. LAS, Thu. at LVA, Sat. at LAS</li>
</ul>
The Sun, who have dropped seven of their last eight games, have officially been eliminated from playoff contention for the second straight season, which comes after an eight-year streak of postseason play (2017–24). With their postseason fate sealed, there are only five remaining home games in Connecticut before their offseason relocation, beginning Tuesday against the Sparks.
<hr />
<h2>15. Toronto Tempo (10-23) ⬇️</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Last Week: 14</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This Week: Tue. vs. IND, Wed. at WAS, Fri. vs. POR, Sun. vs LVA</li>
</ul>
The Tempo have dropped 10 straight and 14 of their last 15 games and find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination in their inaugural season. Toronto will be busy with a league-high-tying seven games before the FIBA break, including a four-game slate this week against the likes of Indiana, Washington, Portland, and Las Vegas.

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2026 WNBA Power Rankings: Week 12

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Top Plays of the Day, 08/15/2026

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Ta'Niya Latson

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Chance Gray

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Amelia Hassett

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2026

WNBA Draft 2026

The Connecticut Sun matched Ashlon Jackson's offer sheet from theLos Angeles Sparks.

Tonie Morgan signed a Contract with the Los Angeles Sparks.

Kiana Williams was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Monique Akoa Makani was traded from the Phoenix Mercury to the Los Angeles Sparks.

Pick	Name	Position	College/Country
20	Ta'Niya Latson	Guard	South Carolina / United States
24	Chance Gray	Guard	Ohio State
35	Amelia Hassett	Forward	Kentucky / Australia

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